Chef on a Mission - Maui Gas Field

I've survived the pool training, I've passed the medical, the build-up's been intense, but I'm clear for take off and good to go...next stop Maui.

– Simon Gault prepares to board a chopper and head to Maui A platform

Here we are on Maui A. If you've seen the movie Waterworld that's kind of what it feels like now.

– Simon Gault arrives on the Maui A platform

A lot of us Māori boys are pretty passionate about our food...and we're pretty honest.

– A Maui worker issues a friendly warning to visiting chef Simon Gault

At least I'm getting an idea of what these blokes like to eat. It has to be hearty and a decent size on the plate...cause this is hungry work.

– Simon Gault mixes his duties on Maui A with quizzing the workers about their favourite foods

We enjoy a delicious cooked lunch - staff are famously well fed on Maui A - with a menu of peri-peri chicken or marinated pork strips, steamed asparagus and broccoli, wedges and about four types of salad. There is also plenty of tea and coffee, fresh fruit, and containers full of cookies that were baked on-site.

– An NZ Herald reporter experiences a day in the life of a Maui A platform worker, 15 January 2015

The money that they earn out here means they can afford to eat good food so they do recognise good quality food and do understand flavours. Guys...they come and tell us that the wives hate us cause they're putting on a bit too much weight.

– Maui kitchen utility worker Sam Thrush on the high expectations of their resident workers

If I had to pay for it I probably would.

– High praise from a Maui worker for Simon Gault's four-course dining experience

It's been full on. We've really got our work cut out for us, there's a lot to do, a lot of prep...

– Visiting chef Simon Gault is in the thick of it in the galley kitchen, preparing a four-course meal for 40